Chapter 12

“What do you mean, ‘he didn't’?" Fenton seethed, “Like, yesterday didn't happen for him?" 

“Not just for him, for everyone but you three." Leon sat back in his chair while we processed what he was saying.

“So, yesterday didn't happen?" Kendrick asked.

“Correct," Leon replied.

“Wait, wait. If yesterday didn't happen then why do we remember it?" Fenton scowled.

Leon looked at me, “That would be because of the artifact." 

Kendrick gasped, Oh, oh, oh! That's what it was doing before! Whenever we were approaching the dragon's lair, using other paths in the mountain, everyone would just come back out. We thought that the paths must have been moving, but maybe they were just reset to the entrance.”

"So, can this artifact reset time?” I asked.

Kendrick and Fenton looked at me and their eyes widened. 

I looked at the palm of my hand. The green gem glinted in the warm lights of the tavern. "How would we even test that?” 

Fenton snickered, "Try doing the hand thing, like that superhero who’s strange.” 

“I wouldn't try to activate it just yet," Leon jumped in,“You don't know how far back you will reset things, and unless you are touching something, everything gets reset. That means you would be the only one to remember." 

Fenton snapped his head around to look at Leon, “What? You mean we would forget unless we are holding onto him or something?”

"Exactly, I remember what happened because I was in the dream at the time. I saw everything, and, when I awoke, time had already been reset. You two," gesturing at Fenton and Kendrick, "remember because you were in physical contact with Faust when the gem was activated.”

For the second time today I felt like I was too stupid for this conversation. There were too many implications for this ability. There were too many questions. 

"So, we don't know how far time can rewind. We don't know how I can control it. We don't know how this affects the game. Is that everything?”

Everyone at the table looked grim.

“Oh, but we still had all of our supplies when we came back. So we do know that anyone and anything you touch gets rewound too," Kendrick chimed in, ever the optimist. 

“Then our plan doesn't really change. We head for the library to learn more. We look for the last two artifacts. We beat the game." Fenton stood up. “Actually, this is good. We don't have Jacob's guild breathing down our necks. That makes things easier. So let's head out." 

Kendrick and I stood to follow Fenton when we heard a loud cough coming from Leon.

“Ahem! About your guild?" He smiled at us. 

Fenton’s face went from serious to disgusted, “What do you want?" 

“I want to join your guild," Leon smiled. 

“No. I vote no." Fenton turned to look at me. 

I took a step back and grimaced. He wasn't going to like what I was thinking. I looked over at Kendrick. 

“Oh, well…I think, it wouldn't be…so bad?” He said tentatively. 

Oh, really convincing. 

"I mean, having someone with prophetic dreams could be useful. Don't you think so?” I was afraid to make eye contact with Fenton, so I stared at a very interesting part of the ceiling instead. I felt Fenton's eyes glaring at me.

He let out a giant sigh, “Fine! But if you get in our way or lie to us again I won't let you stay!" 

“I never lied," Leon said very matter of factly.

“Are you serious? You knew Jacob would be here, didn't you?" 

“Oh, I did. But I never said he wouldn't be here." Leon tilted his head and smiled at Fenton. 

"Lying by omission is still lying!” Fenton yelled. 

I went to calm him down but then saw Leon looking at me curiously. I stopped. Was he thinking about my gift? Did he know? Did he know I lied to Fenton?" 

Kendrick stepped in, “Oh, maybe you don't know Leon. Fenton and Faust are dating. If you have an issue with same sex partners, then you probably shouldn't join our guild." 

I looked down at Fenton who was turning a very interesting shade of red. More interestly was Leon, who turned away. I could see the tips of his ears turning a light pink. 

"No, I don't mind. Just send me the guild request.” He mumbled as he headed towards the exit. 

Kendrick smiled at us and walked after him.

Fenton and I stood there for a moment. He was mumbling something that sounded like, "We wouldn't have had to lie if that idiot would just stop assuming things about people.” He pulled up his player menu and sent Leon the request.

"It's ok Fenton,” I wrapped an arm around him, "at this point it's barely even a lie,” I giggled. 

He stood there for a moment longer staring at his feet. “What's that supposed to mean?" 

“What?" I asked. I heard him, but I couldn't help teasing him.

“Oh, nevermind!" He threw off my arm and stomped out the door. 

I stared after him. He really was cute.

***

After getting out of the town, we started on the path to the Requiem Library. Based on the map, it wasn't that close to any of the other towns. 

“How long will it take us to get there?" I asked. 

“Without transportation or a gate it will probably take two days to walk," Kendrick answered. 

If I was comparing this to walking in the real world, the distance really wasn't that far. We could probably make it in a few hours by car. This made me really wish I knew how to build things from the real world in game. I could have been some type of tycoon or a great developer of some kind. Unfortunately, I was a lazy bum in the real world and didn't really have any amazing skills. 

This made me curious about the others, but if I asked them they would likely ask me. It would be best to keep things as professional as possible. I peeked at Fenton. Maybe it would be good to ask him though…since we were already supposed to know each other. I would have to try to find a chance to be alone with him and ask. 

The road we were on was farmland on the outskirts of the town, but what lay in front of us was what I would describe as, ‘a creepy ass forest.’

I stopped in my tracks and stood there staring. The rest of the group stopped to look at me.

“Something wrong Faust?" Kendrick asked.

"Maybe, is there another road we can take, or can we go around?” I asked. 

"No,” Kendrick pulled out his map, "on either side of the forest are cliffs. This is literally the only path through.”

“Just checking, but what is this Forest called?" I asked. 

"...The Dead Woods…” Kendrick replied slowly.

"Nope. That's a nope. Not going in there. What the heck.” I turned around and started heading back the way we had come.

Fenton caught up to me and grabbed my arm. "Faust, we can't turn back. The only port is a three day walk in the opposite direction. We took this path because it's literally the fastest way.”

"The. Dead. Woods. Seriously? What is it? Zombies? I bet it's zombies. I'm not going in there.” I shot my arm out and pointed at the dark forest that was in front of us. 

As soon as I did, a huge cloud of birds shot out of the trees and took to the sky. Their screams were deafening as they swarmed in the air. We stood there frozen, up until the black cloud of devil birds started aiming right at us. 

“Into the woods! We need some cover!" Kendrick pulled out his shield and sword and stood over Leon as they started running towards the zombie infested, bird trap, ghost lair that was our destination.

Fenton and I followed behind them, covering our heads and looking for some type of cover where we couldn't be overwhelmed by the cloud of angry chickens.

The path before us was relatively clear, which was the opposite of what we wanted. 

"To the right! There is a stone outcropping!” Kendrick called.

We all veered to the right and ran tripping and skidding over leaves and sticks to the large stone mound. 

When we finally reached it we turned to face the birds. Fenton pulled out a sword from his inventory, ready to start playing baseball. 

“Leon, do you have a spell or something you can use that has an area of effect?" Kendrick called out. 

Leon didn't say anything, instead he squeezed passed Kendrick and Fenton and grabbed my arm. He held out his other hand and chanted something. A giant flash of white burst from his fingertips. I turned my head away and covered my eyes. The birds shrieked in pain at the flash of light. I tried to look back, but my eyes had dancing white spots in the way. I rapidly blinked my eyes trying to clear my vision. 

Through the haze I could see the birds had retreated. We could hear their calls getting further and further away. 

"Geeze, a heads up would be nice.” Fenton was rubbing his eyes.

"Apologies, that was listed as a random attack spell in my abilities chart, so I had no idea what would happen,” Leon replied while walking out into the clearing. “Now, since we are already in the woods, should we continue?" he asked, turning back to look at us.

"Yeah, let's go,” Kendrick called out. 

Everyone started moving back towards the path, while Leon and I stood staring at one another. 

A random attack, and he grabbed my arm. 

Did he know my secret?